Ancient Rome indulged in gladiator games at the Colosseum, and as of late, the modern boomtown of Shenzhen finds entertainment and jolly banter in BREWTOWN. While the comparison isn’t apples to apples, both venues unapologetically cater to the demanding masses. Mind you, in the past four decades, Shenzhen has emerged as one of China‘s most affluent cities whose GDP has now surpassed that of neighbouring Hong Kong. Needless to say, the city has forged an ever-expanding infrastructure which sustains the good life of its dwellers, and the opening BREWTOWN bears testament of this ongoing trend. An initiative of two affiliated companies, CR Land and CR Beer, the venue banks on the China‘s stature as the planet’s biggest beer market and ever-increasing beer consumption. As such, BREWTOWN aims to offer visitors an immersive experience, one that bridges the history of beer brewing with the forward-thinking spirit of Shenzhen.
Although it’s a commercial space; it also offers an evocative journey through creativity, community, and culture, all brought to life through design-led spaces. Situated in the Bao’an district, BREWTOWN occupies a whopping 184,125 sqm. (1,981,905 sq.ft.), and features a food hall, public corridors, restrooms and an elevator lobby designed by architecture practice AIM Architecture. The chosen aesthetic takes ample cues from the brewing process where raw materials undergo a process of transformation which has been translated into architectural elements, ranging from repetitive structural forms to the tactile warmth of materials. BREWTOWN is seamlessly connected to Xindong Station, one of the many stops of the city’s MTR underground line 5, and the design is instantly evident when navigating towards the venue.
The design is a linear narrative, guiding visitors through a metaphorical brewing journey, while also inciting further exploration. The corridors have a dynamic look, echoing the movement of ingredients, while open atriums create pauses for fermentation, and flowing spaces culminate in moments of celebration and gathering, just as beer is meant to be shared. Meanwhile, not only ventilation and cooling have been optimised, but also energy consumption has been reduced, making operations cleaner and more efficient. For its part in BREWTOWN, AIM Architecture uses a palette of natural textures, such as brushed stainless steel, terrazzo, perforated copper, and textured stucco, all to evoke the raw and refined elements of brewing. Light plays a crucial role in the design, with curated transitions between brightness and shadow to guide movement and highlight architectural features. The newly opened BREWTOWN features more than 60 tenants on the premises, including craft beer stores, restaurants and even a music venue. © superfuture
BREWTOWN
388 Chuangye Er Lu (Bao’an)
518101 Shenzhen
Daily 11am-1am
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